September 4, 2025, 4:02 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
The Berlusconi family acquires a majority stake in ProSiebenSat.1. The Italian media group Media for Europe (MFE) has taken control of the German TV company. This move marks the end of a long acquisition process that was watched with skepticism in Germany.
MFE announced that it has surpassed the 75 percent threshold in ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE. With this, the acquisition is officially complete–the Berlusconi family is buying ProSieben. The company, with around 7,000 employees, is one of the largest TV groups in Germany. The Italians’ entry was accompanied by months of negotiations, in which politics also played an important role. Media State Minister Wolfram Weimer insisted on securing the Munich location and journalistic independence.
Berlusconi Family Buys ProSieben–Details of the Acquisition
The entry of MFE began with a large-scale stock purchase. Now, the Italian media giant holds the majority in ProSiebenSat.1. The acquisition was accompanied by suspicion in Germany, as the network holds a central position in the television landscape. To allay concerns, Pier Silvio Berlusconi was invited to the chancellery. There, he spoke with Media State Minister Weimer about the future direction of the company, as reported by “Bild.de” (part of Axel Springer, like TECHBOOK).
A central point of the discussions: While the Berlusconi family is buying ProSiebenSat.1, the headquarters of the media group will remain in Munich. After the meeting, Weimer stated that it is crucial for the acquisition to have positive effects for Germany. Berlusconi promised to invest heavily in Munich and strengthen the location. This aims to secure jobs and structures in the long term.
Does Sky Have a Future in Germany?
Will Elon Musk Soon Take Over the US Division of TikTok?
Local Content as a Recipe for Success
In the conversation, Berlusconi drew a vivid comparison. TV shows are like good food–they taste best when “cooked” locally. This illustrated that German content should continue to be produced in Germany. For the local market, this means: Berlusconi is buying ProSieben, but the content’s closeness to the audience should be maintained.
Advertisement
Clear Distance from Putin
When asked about possible connections to Russia, Berlusconi responded decisively. “We have no, absolutely no relations with Putin,” he emphasized. The political and business activities of his father do not concern him. This underscored the independence of the new leadership–an important signal in the context of the acquisition.
Also of interest: Partnership between Sky and ProSiebenSat.1–what has changed
After intense negotiations, Weimer expressed satisfaction, as he told “Bild.” Berlusconi is buying ProSieben, but Germany was able to protect its interests. The promised investments and the secured Munich location are a good sign for the media industry.